Ryanair Policies Jeopardise Air Safety

Airline safety could be a risk as carriers increase the pressure on ground staff. GMB member Colin Auger was suspended from work at Stansted Airport for accidentally causing thousands of pounds of damage to a Ryanair Bowing 737 800 series.

He had driven the passenger steps into the jet causing damage to a wing. His work record was previously unblemished and had never been involved in an accident before.

Other GMB members working on the ramp at Stansted believe there are a disproportionate number of accidents involving Ryanair aircraft because of the 25 minutes turnaround time demanded by Ryanair, barely half the time allocated by other airlines for similar craft.

GMB organiser Gary Pearce said: 'It's for Ryanair to look again at the 25 minute turnaround time required on their contract which causes that ground support staff to have to rush and so accidents are much more likely.'

Alaska Airlines pilots raised similar concerns last month after a jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Seattle. A ramp worker hit the fuselage of a plane with baggage loading equipment, but did not report it for fear of disciplinary action. The crease in the fuselage blew open in mid-air, causing the plane to depressurise.

The pilots' union said lower wages for workers had led to more turnover and a newer, less experienced workforce. In a cost-cutting move, unionised workers were replaced last year with contract workers from UK firm Menzies Aviation. Alaska had 17 ramp problems in 2003, and only 15 in 2004. The number jumped to 72 in the first 9 months of 2005.

source: Risks

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